Church of The Koimesis

Our Mycenaean adventure concluded, we were back on the road to Naplion. As we passed an old Byzantine church, its unusual architecture and colors made me turn the car around, knowing I would regret not stopping to inspect this intriguing place close-up.

Parking at the side of the road, we noticed another couple was just returning from doing the same thing. A sign indicated this was the Church of The Koimesis. As we circled it, admiring the fabulous Byzantine architecture, we pondered over a clutch of dried weeds hanging over one of the doors.

Back in Naplion

Back in Naplion, lunch was on our minds (is this new?). Again, the quay drew us with its posted menus written only in Greek. As we sat down in a promising taverna and began to look over the menu, the waiter invited us inside to see first hand what was cooking. This is common in Greece and so much more fun than pointing off a menu.

Eggplant salad (which is not a salad in the traditional sense, but a cold puree of eggplant, garlic, onion, and oil) and pastitsio (sort of like baked macaroni, but covered with bechamel and sprinkled with cinnamon and nutmeg) was my choice. Gino’s lunch included French fries (”pomme frites”), which are ubiquitous here. Always homemade and fresh, they are unlike any French fries I have ever eaten. Jan, my friend from Finland, told me he knows someone who returns from each trip to Greece with bags of potatoes stashed in his suitcase.

After lunch, we donned swimsuits and grabbed our Italia beach towels, stopping at a little store for drinks before heading to the beach. Jan had told me the brand “Loux” is the best for soft drinks in Greece. Less sweet than sodas found in the US, I found them very thirst-quenching.

Arvanitia Beach is within easy walking distance, just up and over the town’s hump. The beach consisting not of sand, but of small colorful pebbles, which we combed for the prettiest to stash away into the zippered pouches of our packs. Finding a little rock-protected angle, we spread out our towels and spent the next couple of hours dipping into the aquamarine sea and hunting for bits of polished colored glass. (Some people come to Greece for the potatoes. I come for the rocks.) The water was warm and soothing, although a bit choppy from the watercraft activity in the bay.

More Street Wanderings

Pristine clean, this smooth little alley is a perfect outdoor dining room in the old town of Naplion.

 I don’t know what this sign says, but I was ready to eat seafood after seeing it!

Ship on a shingle.

 Away from the harbor and around the point, this table for two will be paradise at sunset.

 

And More Wanderings